Comp Gov: Democracy

abstract vs. concrete review

Seeing if law is constitutional based on dispute in a court case (concrete) or without a dispute because lawmakers want a change (abstract)

civil liberties vs civil rights

civil liberties are freedoms protected, civil rights are protections based on group/race/affiliations

constituency

geographic region a lawmaker represents

civil society

the life outside of the state, public organizations and association. small-scale democracy

electoral system

how lawmakers are elected to office by the people

first past the post

a basic plurality is used for a representative to be elected, no majority.

head of govt vs. head of state

Head of state represents the state and its people, does international roles. Head of government represents the legislature and combats national issues.

judicial review

to see if a law is legal by the terms of the constitution

liberal democracy vs democracy

democracy means political power exercised by the people, a liberal democracy is one that has participation, competition, and liberty

multimember district (MMD) vs Single-member district (SMD)

Multiple representatives can be elected by a constituency based on population, while SMD is just one regardless of population

bicameral vs unicameral governments

governments that use one or two bodies to pass legislation

mixed electoral system

people vote for both parties and ask for a specific lawmaker

rule of law

the independence of law over people and officials. Power needs to be strong enough where judicial practice can occur

Republicanism

separation of power and representative democracy over direct democracy or monarchy